2015 is shaping up to be a busy year in Hillsborough with major projects to improve the downtown area.

Mayor Tom Stevens says he’s confident that proposed renovations in downtown Hillsborough will have a positive impact on the area.

He says, “one year from now Downtown Hillsborough is going to be better than ever.”

Those improvement projects include a major renovation to the main parking lot in Hillsborough, known as the Bank of America lot.

“It’s a very odd lot,” he says, “but it is where people tend to gravitate immediately.”

Mayor Stevens adds that they will be tackling other major projects to improve foot traffic in downtown Hillsborough.

“[We’ll be] widening the sidewalks, putting in new crosswalks, and ultimately the DOT will also be repaving all the streets,” he says.

According to Mayor Stevens, they will also be adding in new landscaping to improve the overall aesthetics of the downtown area.

He says that the town arrived at this point after much public comment and extensive work from the town to manage growth in the best way possible.

“In 2010, we did a very comprehensive study mapping out every single spot,” he says. “We had people seeing what the use was. We had people who were surveying people when they were walking the sidewalks.”

Mayor Stevens says that they are expecting a slight net loss in parking but accessibility to the downtown will be increased. He also says he believes adding in loading zones will help alleviate any issues that arise out of lost parking spaces.

The proposed improvement project was given the green light at the final Hillsborough Board of Commissioners meeting earlier in December.

Related Stories
‹
Hillsborough: The Churton Street Project, Flush Fest Revisited, Police Summit
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 13, discussing town news and events. He recapped this week's town board of commissioners meeting, which included an update on the Churton Street Projects, which would considerably upgrade infrastructure south of downtown. He also revisited last weekend's Flush Fest, which is an annual event funding a global sanitation non profit. He discussed an upcoming police summit, and more.
Al's Burger Shack Prepares to Open New Location in Hillsborough
Al’s co-owner Charlie Farris, who also owns Jersey Mike’s two units down, spoke with 97.9 The Hill about the new location.
NCDOT Announces Overnight Closures on Interstate 40 at Old N.C. 86
Crews will work to repair the bridge from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. starting the night of Monday, Oct. 12 through Thursday, Oct. 15.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
Date Night: Heading Up Yonder, For A Cause
Next Friday, October 16, Aaron's organizing a concert at Yonder in Hillsborough to raise money for the SKJAJA Fund!
Hillsborough: InterCity Visit Takeaways, More Chantal Repairs Complete, Community Survey
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 6, discussing town news and events. He recapped the recent Chamber visit to Charlottesville for the InterCity Visit. He also updated a recent installation of a new boat launch at King's Highway Park, marking another upgrade after damage from last summer's Tropical Storm Chantal. He discussed a new entrepreneurial center in Hillsborough, and more.
Hillsborough: Hog Day Recap, Burwell School, Elizabeth Keckley, Town History
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 22, discussing town news and events. He recapped this past weekend's Hog Day festivities. He also talked about the recent name change for the Burwell School, which led to a broader discussion of town history, and more.
On Air Today: Katharine Whalen and Eryk Pruitt on 24 Hours in Hillsborough
Katherine Whalen of Katherine Whalen's Jazz Squad and Eryk Pruitt of Yonder Southern Cocktails and Brew spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 17. They discussed Eryk's recent column 24 Hours In Hillsborough: Off the Beaten Path, which includes several recommendations for things to do in Hillsborough. Katherine discussed highlights of the Hillsborough music scene, including Thursday night jazz at Yonder. They discussed other upcoming events, including a terrarium workshop hosted by Andrew, and more.
Hillsborough: Town Board Reconvenes, Hog Day, Community Survey
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 8. He discussed the closure of a longtime downtown business and the general state of local businesses in the downtown area. He also previewed next week’s meeting of the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, as they begin their regular fall meeting schedule. He also previewed upcoming events, and more.
The Morning News: CHCCS Mandarin Program, Hillsborough Community Survey, UNC Football
In today's news: the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board meets this Thursday, with the Mandarin program tops on the agenda.
›